Ear Checks

Our hospital offers thorough Ear Exams as one of our many extensive Dermatology Services. Conditions of the ears can be extremely uncomfortable and even painful. Symptoms like head shaking, scratching and pawing at the ears, rubbing the ears on the floor or furniture, whining, and abnormal odors are common. Conditions of the ear occur frequently in dogs and cats and result from a variety of causes. Determining these causes is vital to the long term resolution of the symptoms.

As with any other health issue, gathering a detailed history and performing a full examination of the patient are critical. Careful examination of the ear with an otoscope, visualizing the full length of the ear canal and the ear drum, provides information important to the diagnosis. Pain is common in ear disease and some patients will require sedation or anesthesia to be properly evaluated. Additional diagnostic tests are often warranted. Gathering samples to check for mites, inflammation, bacteria and yeast is a common first step. Cultures are sometimes needed.

In uncomplicated ear disease, treatment may be straight-forward when the proper information is gathered. However, most recurrent cases of ear disease involve multiple causes like allergy, infection, foreign bodies, tumors or ear mites. Treating only one cause will limit the response to therapy. Rechecking the ear after each stage of the treatment is critical to providing a long term resolution to the problem.

HOW TO REACH US

VCA Boston Road Animal Hospital

Phone: 413-783-1203

Phone: 413-783-1206

Fax: 413-782-7909

1235 Boston Road

Springfield,
MA01119

BUSINESS HOURS

Mon 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Tue-Wed 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM

Thu 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM

Fri 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Sat 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Sun Closed

If you have an emergency and our wellness department isn't open please visit our emergency department that is open 24 hours/day 365 days/year 413-783-1203.

At VCA Boston Road Animal Hospital, we’re open 24 hours a day/365 days a year to provide emergency and critical care for your beloved companion. Staffed by specially-trained veterinarians and technicians with direct access to the hospital’s full complement of advanced, state-of-the-art medical equipment and staff of board-certified specialists, our Emergency/Critical Care team is equipped to handle all medical emergencies. For immediate medical care, please transport your pet to our facility or to speak with a member of our emergency team, please call our hospital at (413) 783-0603 any time, day or night – we are ALWAYS available!

For further information about pet medical emergencies, please CLICK HERE.